Isaiah 55:2 “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”

Pick your poison – a phrase I have not heard in a long time...

As that phrase came to mind I thought “an interesting choice of words”. Why would something we want be poison?

Isaiah asks why we spend our money for that which is not bread and work for that which does not satisfy. It seems many I know, myself included, spend our money and time and labor searching for something that will fill us and leave us completely satisfied. We are invariably disappointed with our attempts. Bread may satisfy our bellies for a brief time but we will need to eat again. We work until we are bone tired and then have nothing left to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

When we stop working and spending for our own desires and listen to the Lord more carefully he will satisfy our needs and desires beyond our imagination. When we eat of the Lord's table we are able to delight in rich food, food that will not leave us in want.

Do we spend our money for spoils and things that leave us feeling empty? Does that new gadget or “toy” finally fulfill our desire? Maybe for the moment, but not for long. Do we work to save for that vacation we so desperately need but then have no time for vacation because we only know how to work? Stop and listen carefully to the Lord.

He will guide your labor and your investments. Allow him to feed you what is truly good and delight in his rich food.

Lord,

Help us see beyond the material desires and seek your spiritual nourishment above all else. What we can provide for ourselves leaves us empty. Please fill us with your rich food so we are truly able to delight in it and you always. Amen.